--- Forwarded Message from David Herren <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 21:29:23 -0500 >Subject: Re: #6507.12 Code Free DVD Players (!) >From: David Herren <[log in to unmask]> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ On Wednesday, February 13, 2002, at 05:32 PM, LLTI-Editor wrote: > 1. Is this machine VCR friendly? I'm not sure what this means... you're not supposed to make tape copies of DVDs anyway... ;-) > 2. What do you think of the image produced by the converter? > I've heard that some built-in converters produce inferior images. Anything which has been "converted" is going to lose some quality, and particularly since a PAL image is by definition superior to NTSC, then yes, a PAL image converted to NTSC is inferior. Ideally one would display a PAL DVD on a PAL monitor for the best quality, but if you don't have a multi-standard monitor (or like me, can't afford a 32 inch multi-standard monitor) this makes the content available which would otherwise not be available... > 3. Do you have any experience with the reliability and > reparability of this brand? > I've heard of one Malata being delivered DOA which was quickly replaced. Virtually all of the "region free" players I have used are made in China, and there's no question that they're of lesser quality than mainstream brands--look at the price after all--but as long as you trust your vendor, you shouldn't have too many problems. For the most part, though, there's no touching them for features. The last region free player I took apart (not a Malata) was essentially a pentium based machine running an embedded linux kernal with a computer DVD drive... And at $335, we're nearly talking disposable anyway... /david -- david herren, shoreham, vermont, usa Hey Osama! Allah would like a word with you...